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Grede is the world’s largest independent producer of ferrous lost foam castings at its North American manufacturing center in Columbiana, AL.Capacity or lack thereof at auto suppliers, who drastically downsized by closing facilities and jettisoning workers in 2008 and 2009 as the Great Recession took hold, is an emerging problem as auto and truck makers slowly recover and increase production.
The emerging industry problem is being compounded by the supply disruptions caused by the Japan earthquake and tsunami. Just how much of a problem remains to be seen in what remains a very weak U.S. economy with low levels of consumer confidence and the highest unemployment and underemployment rates since the Great Depression.
“The acquisition of the NovoCast and Teknik foundries is important for Grede because it expands our manufacturing footprint to allow us to supply key automotive, heavy truck and industrial customers in Mexico with a broad spectrum of ductile and gray iron components,” said Doug Grimm, chairman, president & CEO of Grede.
